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Wednesday, 31 October 2012

I went to Joanne's on Saturday morning for a make and take session.
There were a few of us around the table and we all had a very happy time
indeed - chatting, chuckling, cardmaking and cookies - what's not to
love!? Also there were a couple of cute babies to coo over! Joanne had
designed six cards and all the supplies were in baskets so as you
finished a card the basket was passed on and you received a new one to
work on. Unsurprisingly, I only made five cards as I was far too busy
gasbagging - as per usual!

This card was the first one I
made and actually completed on the day. The others are still awaiting
final assembly! I love this graceful flower spray image from the
Hopeful Thoughts set and the tree in the set is lovely too. I have had
the set on my wish list for a long time but it always seems to get
bumped down the list and I've not bought it yet. I really feel it's
time to add it to my collection!

The colours used for the
card are Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum, So Saffron and Whisper White - a
very pretty combo. I inked the spray with markers and stamped on the
white panel. I punched an ornament shape, inked and stamped the spray
again and then cut off the ornament bottom to make a vase shape. The
vase was edged with Plum ink and the vase popped up. The card front was
finished off with a sentiment, a scalloped border and some Dazzling
Details was put on the flowers for a touch of sparkle.

For the inside and envelope I stamped the beautiful flower spray again.

I have my monthly card group meeting tomorrow and after packing the stuff for that this evening I plan on finishing off the rest of the make and take cards. Owen is working and I don't have choir practice tonight so after dinner I will put on my PJs, go to my craft room and get assembling!

Monday, 29 October 2012

This is the second card I've made for Mynnette's Inkspirational DT call. It's a colour challenge this time - I had to think about this one for a while! I opted for a sponged background with silhouette stamping, a definite fave technique of mine.

I started off with a piece of Whisper White CS as a blank canvas and then sponged away to my heart's content to create my background. I used to be nervous and apprehensive when sponging but I kept at it anyway and now I'm very happy to sponge away and I find it really therapeutic. I sponged Old Olive at the bottom for the ground and for the sky I used Bashful Blue and Baja Breeze inks. I inked the grass stamp with Soft Suede ink and stamped off once on scrap paper before stamping on the white card. I inked the coneflower stamp with Soft Suede ink, stamped that full strength and cut the panel to the size I wanted. I'd used sponges to create the background but then I switched to sponge daubers to edge the panel with Baja Breeze and Old Olive inks. I layered onto a Soft Suede mat and adhered that to the front of a 5 3/4" square Old Olive card base. I absolutely love the shape of the label in the SU! Apothecary Accents die set and I'm always happy when I discover sentiments that fit it! I stamped with Soft Suede ink onto Baja Breeze CS and die cut the label. I die cut another label from Soft Suede CS and trimmed the two long edges off so I could add a mat at the top and bottom of the label and I popped the label up.

I die cut three of the smallest flowers from the SU! Floral Fusion die from Baja Breeze CS. To give them some shape and dimension I snipped between each petal and then spiralled the end of a large embossing stylus in the centre of each flower. Like me, Mynnette loves her bling and I just had to place a rhinestone in each flower centre - plus I placed one over the i in birthday for good measure! I bought a set of Cheery Lynn butterfly dies a little while ago but hadn't used them and I thought now was the time to break them open. I die cut the plain wing from Baja Breeze CS and the fancy top layer from Old Olive CS. I've glued the butterfly to the card just along the body so the wings can fold upwards. The butterfly body was the perfect spot to place more rhinestones to finish off the card front!

Here's the inside and the envelope with more stamping and sponging. I had to scrub my hands with a pumice stone as I got very inky but even so I really enjoyed making this card!

Saturday, 27 October 2012

This week at 52 {C}CT it's time for an embellishment challenge. We want to see you create using die cut or punched shapes - great fun!

I made a square swing card using a Sizzix Flip-Its die. I die cut two, one from Baja Breeze CS and another from patterned paper, that way the card is more sturdy than if I'd just used the patterned paper. I used the SU! Snow Flurry die and cut three snowflakes. I layered the two smaller shapes together with a Build a Brad and the snowflakes are popped up. I find the the non traditional colours in this patterned paper so attractive and I love how the sparkly silver snowflake looks with it!

For the reverse of the swing panel I stamped snowflakes onto Baja Breeze CS with Baja Breeze ink and then stamped the sentiment over the top in Soft Suede ink. I layered the blue square onto a Soft Suede mat and finished off by adding three punched snowflakes with jewel centres. I decorated the front of the envelope with a strip of the patterned paper, a narrow Soft Suede CS strip and a die cut label.

I hope you'll join in with our die cut/ punched shape challenge this week, I'd love to come and see what you make! This is the last week to be in with a chance of winning a sponsor prize - check out the blog for the details and to see the lovely cards the other DT members have made.

It's a colour combo challenge at Simply Stampin' this week. I think Daffodil and Pool Party are a lovely fresh duo and the dark Espresso against the paler colours really pops!

I made a side opening A6 Pool Party card base, trimmed a tad off the side, added a Daffodil Delight fancy border cut from a Finishing Touches Edgelits die and added an Espresso CS strip. After die cutting the Top Note shape I embossed it with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder and attached some Pool Party ribbon before gluing the shape to the card. I die cut three flower shapes using the SU! Fun Flowers die - one in Daffodil Delight, one in Pool Party and one in Early Espresso Core'dinations CS. I inked the Love Blossoms wheel stamp with Daffodil ink and stamped the yellow flower petals. For the Pool Party flower I inked the heart shaped stamp from the You Are Loved set with Pool Party ink and stamped the whole flower. I edged both flowers with the respective coloured inks. I die cut the middle flower from the Espresso Core'dinations CS, embossed it with the Lacy Brocade folder and sanded the embossing. I cut between the petals of each of the flowers so I could add a bit of dimension and I popped each flower shape up. I threaded a thin strip of Espresso CS through the holes of a Daffodil Delight button and placed that in the centre of my flower element. I stamped the 'Sweet Friend' in Early Espresso ink, punched the sentiment out using the Modern Label punch and popped it up.

For inside the card I stamped a white strip with the Love Blossoms wheel using Daffodil Delight ink. After gluing the stamped strip I topped it with a narrow strip of Espresso CS. For the envelope I used markers to ink the flower sprig image, punched it out with the 1 3/4" circle punch and matted onto a Daffodil 2 3/8" scalloped circle.

I hope you can play along with us this week and make a card using this lovely combo. Don't worry if you don't have the exact colours, you can substitute similar shades if you need to. I look forward to seeing what you create!

Friday, 26 October 2012

Oooh, I'm wincing as I type this. I had an unpleasant hospital appointment this morning and I had some treatment which has resulted in me being stitched in a very delicate, sensitive area! As if that's not enough I had to go to the dentist a couple of days ago as I have a dental abscess so I'm on antibiotics and strong painkillers. All in all, I'm feeling very sorry for myself at the moment. Time for a cuppa, a Downton Abbey catch up and some chocolate!

This is a thank you card I put together using some new SU! In Colour goodies and the Embellished Events stamp set. Summer Starfruit is conspicuous by its absence - what a strange colour, I'm not a fan! I used Primrose Petals, Midnight Muse and Whisper White CS for the card and mat layers. The card measures 4 1/4" square. I stamped the leafy stem in Gumball Green ink and added three Dahlias - they are such sweet embellishments! For the vase I punched a Midnight Muse ornament, cut off the bottom and used Dimensionals to give some shape - I used a single layer towards the outside and a double layer in the middle. I think the ornament makes a fab contemporary looking vase! The stamped sentiment was cut out with the Word Window punch and I added two jewels. To finish off the card front I wrapped some Gumball Green ribbon around the card and tied a knot.

Here's the inside and envelope. I used markers to ink the flower sprays and cut out the envelope element with circle punches.

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Mynnette, the crafty whirlwind that she is, is starting up a new challenge blog called Inkspirational. She is having a DT call - details can be found here - and there are four fab challenges for you to enter if you want to apply for a place on the team. Mynnette's first DT call challenge is to CASE this pretty card of hers.

I love Mynnette's card, the layout is very versatile, it's great as a CAS design but I think it lends itself to being stepped up also. Some things that stood out for me to bear in mind when I made my CASE version were the subtle patterned paper, the texture and dimension of the flower and leaves, the different greens used for the leaves and the rounded corners.

I made a 5 3/4" square card using textured white CS, added the green patterned paper and the red strips. I then used my SU! Blossom punch to cut three flowers from Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations CS. I embossed each blossom with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder and scuffed the embossing. I was really surprised, the scuffed embossing not only looks good, it adds a touchable texture to the CS, it feels almost like suede or flocking! I stacked the three flowers and joined them together with an Antique brad. I die cut some leaves using Lucky Limeade, Gumball Green and Always Artichoke CS. The die I used is 'Fresh Leaves' from Memory Box - the die has a subtle embossed leaf detail which I love. I glued the bottoms of the leaves flat to the card but I've added dimension by placing 3D foam pads under the leaves as well. I glued the flower to the card front and rounded the right hand side corners of the card. I stamped and die cut a sentiment panel and added bling to this to finish the card front.

Damask patterns always appeal to me and I couldn't resist this patterned paper - I bought a few sheets in different colours! I've used more of the paper inside the card and on the envelope flap. I debated whether to add a sentiment inside or not - I decided to leave it for now and possibly add one later when I know what I'm going to use the card for. So, one challenge down - I'm looking forward to tackling the other three!

Monday, 22 October 2012

It was our good friend Gill's birthday yesterday and this is the card I made for her. You just HAVE to make Gill a pretty, bright card - no sombre colours allowed! I loved the 'Blooming Marvellous' stamp set when I saw it at Clearly Besotted. I managed to resist it for all of a week before giving in to temptation! I inked the stamps up the day I received them as I knew they were perfect for Gill's birthday card.

I made a 5 3/4" square card using textured white CS. I cut a smaller square mat layer and lightly inked the edges with Pretty in Pink ink. I inked the leaves with Old Olive ink, stamped off once and then applied more Olive ink to the edges of the stamp with a sponge dauber. For the roses, I inked first with Pretty in Pink and added Regal Rose with a dauber. I stamped the large rose three times and cut some parts out and popped them up. I stamped the sentiment and added the striped ribbon before popping up the mat layer. Pretty twinkle was added in the form of pink Swarovski crystals.

I added a sentiment panel and a popped up rose inside the card.

Then I made an envelope with textured green CS and added a rosebuds name label to the front.

I hope Gill enjoyed her birthday and liked her card as much as I enjoyed making it for her!

Saturday, 20 October 2012

This week it's a Fairy Lights theme challenge at the 52 {C}CT blog - great fun!

I made an A6 easel card using a combo of red, green and sparkly gold - very traditional for a Christmas card! I stamped the Merry Lights stamp onto a Very Vanilla panel and mounted that to a larger Old Olive panel that I had given a fancy border to by cutting it with the SU! Large Scallop Edgelits die. I added two sparkly gold strips and added more twinkle by applying Champagne glitter glue to the light bulbs. For the bottom of the card I used some pine bough patterned paper - to echo the inspiration picture - layered onto an Old Olive mat and added gold photo corners. I wrapped a strip of Cherry Cobbler ribbon around the panel and popped up a sentiment to act as a stop for the easel. I masked off the 'Merry' from the sentiment, stamped just the 'Christmas', punched it out with the Word Window punch and matted onto a gold Modern Label punched shape.

I decorated the bottom of the easel card and adhered patterned paper to the envelope flap to finish off.

Check out the cards from the other members of the DT - and don't forget we have prizes on offer this month too! Hope you will join in with our Fairy Lights theme challenge, I'm looking forward to seeing what you create!

I've made a 5 3/4" square card and used Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla as my colour combo - a definite fave! I attached the CS and patterned paper strips first. I then opened my new Apothecary Accents die set (gorgeous!) and used the largest shape in the set. I stamped the flourish stamp from the Elements of Style set in Crumb Cake ink onto the Very Vanilla shape and sponged the edges. I stamped two Mixed Bunch flowers and punched them out and also punched two plain Rich Razzleberry flowers as shadows for my stamped shapes. I threaded linen thread through the buttons, placed a button in the centre of each flower and popped up the flower on the right. I stamped the 'For You' stamp, punched it out with a 1" circle punch, sponged the edges, matted onto a Razzleberry 1 1/4" circle and popped it up.

I cut a Vanilla panel for inside the card, stamped the flourish in opposite corners after stamping off once first and I sponged the edges. For the front of the envelope I did more stamping and sponging. I also added a Crumb Cake CS strip and a label made with another gorgeous Apothecary Accents Framelits die. Such a pretty shape!

This is a fab layout so I hope you will join us this week, I'd love to come and see your cards!

Friday, 19 October 2012

This is another 'bits from the box' card I've completed. The stamped and die cut ornament has been in the box for a few weeks and I dug it out together with a lacy square die cut shape that has been in the box for ages!

I stamped the pine bough onto the lacy square and then punched two small holes so I could tie the ornament to the bough so it would swing. I applied glitter glue to the bough and when that was dry I tied the ornament on with gold sparkly thread. I stamped the sentiment and popped the lacy square up.

Inside I simply matted and layered a sentiment. For the envelope flap I used markers to ink a stamp from the SU! Ornament Keepsakes set and used circle punches to mat and layer.

I've still got quite a few bits in the 'to be completed' box that need dealing with. I'm sure I'll be adding to it all the time and I don't anticipate it will ever be empty. I plan to keep it more under control from now on though - I'm going to try at least! I don't want it to get to the point where I can't fit the lid on again!

Thursday, 18 October 2012

This card features a chipboard snowflake that I rescued from the 'to be completed' box. I bought a sheet of chipboard snowflake shapes a month or so ago and I got as far as applying some gilding flakes to one shape. I've combined Bo Bunny papers, luscious SU! Champagne Glimmer Paper and the snowflake shape to put this card together.

I die cut the medium sized snowflake from the SU! Snow Flurry die using the Champagne paper and layered that onto the chipboard flake. I stamped the sentiment onto a panel of patterned paper and layered onto Soft Suede and Champagne mats. I originally stamped in Soft Suede ink but it didn't look right, something darker was needed. I opted for Adirondack Ginger ink and held my breath while using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to overstamp the original sentiment. Yay, it worked perfectly! I stamped for years without owning a stamp positioner but now I have a Stamp-a-ma-jig I would NOT be without it! Before adhering the panel to the 5 3/4" square card front I attached some brown ribbon and popped up the snowflake.

More snowflakes and glitter on the inside of the card.

I've used strips of patterned paper and Soft Suede CS for the envelope. I also added a label using a die from the SU! Apothecary Accents set. I've layered the patterned paper label onto pieces I cut off from a Soft Suede label in order to make a mat.

Another item gone from the 'to be completed' box and another Christmas card added to the stash - fab!

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

This sponged circle with the die cut borders has been buried and neglected in my 'to be finished' box for several months. I had sponged Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy inks onto a white circle and then layered 3 Country Landscape die cuts with 3d foam pads. That's as far as I got and it stayed on my desk for quite a while before it got tossed into the box following a tidy up. I just recently needed to make a couple of new home cards and it would have been perfect but I didn't remember that I had this circle already made. In fact, I didn't even remember I had the Country Landscape die, how shameful! Anyway, I excavated the circle from the box and set about making it into a card.

I thought the image circle needed to shine on a card front without it getting lost in too fancy a design. I simply matted the circle onto a larger patterned paper circle and made a scalloped circle shaped card using a Nestie die and Baja Breeze CS. For my sentiment I knew I wanted something plain and simple and I chose 'congratulations' from the SU! Embellished Events set. I stamped in Early Espresso ink onto Very Vanilla CS and cut it out with the Word Window punch.

I die cut the Country Landscape die and then cut the CS with the scalloped circle Nestie die to decorate the inside of the card. I decided to make a matching envelope from Baja Breeze CS so out came my Simply Scored and Diagonal Plate. The finished card measures approx. 4 1/2" so I needed a 4 3/4" square envelope. To make it I cut the CS to 7 1/2" square and scored at 3 3/8" on each side. I added a die cut border to the front of the envelope to finish off. So, that's one more 'bits from the box' item rescued and I now have a new home card in my stash!

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Another of my 'bits from the box' cards I completed during my Saturday blitz. On 1st September the 52 {C}CT blog had this card sketch as the challenge for that week.

I started making this card as my DT entry but didn't like how it was going so I abandoned it and moved onto a different card. I'm not entirely sure why I wasn't happy with it, musing on it now I wonder if the choice of patterned paper was the problem but I'd adhered it to the card front already. Anyway, I know not to ignore that feeling when I get it. Forcing the issue is not the right way to go for me, to avoid frustration it's far better for me to lay a card aside and come back to it later! Originally I planned just to have the plain white sentiment oval but on my revisit I've added a red Modern Label punched shape behind which I like better. I think just that small pop of colour makes a big difference somehow. I've also added the punched photo corners. The tree is popped up. I had already placed jewels on the star and snowflake but now I've added 3 more jewels in a line on the image panel.

Here's the inside and the envelope. I've used my fab new Snow Flurry die for the red snowflakes and a punch for the white ones. Have you got any cards that you've abandoned part way through? Maybe now is the time to revisit and rescue them!

Monday, 15 October 2012

I have a 'to be completed' box which has been filling up for a few months. It got to the stage where the lid wasn't fitting on the box any more and my plan to make a 'bits from the box' card at least once a week wasn't happening. So on Saturday I had a blitz and finished quite a few - at least the lid fits on the box now!

I started on this card a month or so ago. I got as far as making the shaped, embossed background panel and stamping and punching the blossoms but then the bits got tossed in the box. I had inked the blossom stamp with Pretty in Pink ink and then added some Regal Rose and Rose Red inks with sponge daubers. On Saturday I stamped the sentiment, added some Old Olive dotted ribbon to the white panel and attached that to the front of an Old Olive A6 card base. I die cut some Little Leaves and I popped the flower up. I placed an Old Olive button in the centre of the blossom and added some jewels to finish off the card front.

For inside I stamped a white panel with a sentiment and a partial flower image. I stamped another flower in Rose Red ink, cut it out with the 1 3/8" circle punch and matted onto a scalloped circle for the envelope flap.

My blog will feature 'bits from the box' cards all this week. Who knows, I may inspire someone out there to tackle their own box?!

About Me

Hello, I'm Ruth Muzeen and I live with my hubby Owen and our cat Tingha in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.
Thanks for visiting to look at my creations, please click on a card photo in any blog post to get a larger view. I have categorised albums of my cards available to view on Google Photos. Just click on the category name to go to the relevant album. Please do leave any comments you have, it will be so nice to hear from you! For more info, please see the About Me - Extended tab up at the top.